Design through Engineering - Origin

Since using Protomold® services, Cambridgeshire-based Origin Product Design, a consultancy serving clients in a range of industrial and commercial market sectors, has developed a 'technical partnership' with the rapid injection moulding specialist.

Formed in 1995, Origin Product Design has developed a successful business providing design solutions for, says Lintern, "working products that exhibit a degree of mechanical functionality". The company's service can include complete project management from initial idea and concept through to design, prototyping, tooling and production, including a full development service that encompasses extensive analytical tools such as finite element analysis (FEA).

Approximately 50% of the company's business is generated by the medical/pharmaceutical industry, the rest comes from other sectors that include fast-turnaround orders (10 days or less) for a telecommunications specialist, compression wheels for an industrial juicing company, fire equipment housings for the marine sector and various packaging items for customers in the aviation industry.

"We've used other rapid toolmaking and prototyping companies in the past but to be honest, 5-6 weeks would be the best lead-time we could expect," explains Mr Lintern. "Not only is Protomold able to offer a faster service, but they can do so without compromising quality. Furthermore, they're very willing to assist and help solve technical problems. This was evident from the outset. "

The first time Origin used Protomold's services was on an innovative pharmaceutical product that entailed the use of a 0.2mm milling-cutter in order to generate a specific medical form. "Protomold demonstrated a determination to help us to succeed and to deliver parts correct-to-drawing. We were very impressed."

Mr Lintern also praises the company's ProtoQuote® cost and manufacturability quotation system. ProtoQuote includes a summary of potential problems with the part, explained in a clear, simple and non-technical way, incorporating suggested changes and, if necessary, re-designs. One of the main benefits of the ProtoQuote system is that it simplifies and demystifies injection-moulding for everyone involved in the product development project and takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process.

"Getting an initial design to Protomold via the ProtoQuote system allows us to understand any initial difficulties from a manufacturing perspective, and also provides us with an accurate idea of tooling and prototyping costs," he says.
Origin's core business is the design and development of technology-based products, specialising in the integration of mechanics, electronics and technologies with industrial design and ergonomics to achieve customers' specifications and create successful products.

Recent designs include products such as drug delivery devices, medical diagnostic and monitoring systems, computer peripherals, domestic appliances and children's toys, to name but a few.
"With the aid of Protomold on a number of these projects and many others we are ensuring high quality, reliable and cost effective solutions for all of our customers," concludes Mr Lintern.